Your children and grandchildren likely have started back to school.

Now is the time for you to get involved with their education.

Concordia Parish school leaders plan a series of sessions to inform parents of upcoming high school students about how to take advantage of several opportunities to save some money.

Those sessions will advise parents how to help their students prepare for ACT testing and how they can enroll in college courses while still in high school, potentially saving thousands of dollars in college tuition costs.

The Natchez Adams School District offers a slate of similar events that includes several planned meetings for parent-teacher groups and the like.

It would benefit your children to become involved with their education.

Research sponsored by the National Parent Teacher Association shows children whose parents are actively involved with their schools have higher grades, test scores and graduation rates, better school attendance and lower suspension rates.

That same research shows students whose parents are involved with their schools have decreased drug and alcohol usage and fewer instances of violent behavior.

Another study shows family participation in education is twice as predictive of students’ academic success as family socioeconomic status.

Taking time to attend PTA meetings, open houses and other events at your child’s school is an investment is his or her success.

And, even if you don’t have a child enrolled in the district, take the time to attend a school board meeting.

Your direct involvement in support and improvement of local schools may be one of the most worthwhile investments you could make in the future of our community.